Would Chris Wood be the ideal player to fill Awoniyi’s void?

Nottingham Forest recently made a move for New Zealand forward, Chris Wood, as the Ideal alternative for Taiwo Awoniyi, due to a groin Injury.

After scoring the game’s only goal against Southampton, the Nigerian striker was forced to leave the pitch.

However, prior claims from soccernet.ng, which were made by a football writer named Paul Taylor, said that he would be out for two months.

Awoniyi joined Nottingham Forest from Bundesliga club Union Berlin on a five-year contract for a then-club-record amount of about £17.5 million, becoming the newly promoted Premier League team’s first international signing of the summer.

After surpassing Sebastian Andersson’s club record of 12 goals in a season back in the 2019–20 season and moving ahead of Max Kruse, the Nigerian caught Steve Cooper’s attention by scoring 15 goals in a season for his German team.

The Super Eagles attacker scored 21 goals for his side in only two seasons while playing for Berliners.

The Nigerian forward has unquestionably shown via his accomplishments that he is the ideal striker for the Reds.

Awoniyi started the season at the City Ground slowly, but he is now more than capable of competing in the Premier League. His goal at St Mary’s Stadium was his fifth overall, and he had been in excellent form recently.

But his injury dealt the Reds a serious blow, adding him to a long list of injuries that also included their starting goalie Dean Henderson.

However, the January transfer window ended up being a blessing in disguise for Evangelos Marinkais, who once again threw his chequebook on the table to purchase Chris Wood from Newcastle with a buyout option.

This means that the 31-year-old will join Sam Surridge and Emmanuel Dennis in the squad for the forward position.

It is no news that the former Burnley striker fell down the pecking order in Eddie Howe’s squad selection, and his lack of game time was the main reason why he was easily pushed to the Reds.

He had no choice but to compete for chances to succeed Callum Wilson and Isak, who were both ahead of him.

During his stint with the Magpies, Wood played in 35 domestic league games, but only managed to score four goals.

However, it does not seem like this record can match the previous accomplishments of the Nigerian player or the potential he was beginning to show for Cooper’s team.

Unquestionably, the New Zealand attacker was one of just eight players in the Premier League to register double-digit league goals in each of the four seasons prior to joining Newcastle. Which only Mohamed Salah, Jamie Vardy, and Harry Kane could claim.

But in the world of football, you are only as good as your most recent performance.

The former Leeds forward would undoubtedly give the Reds’ frontline the physicality, but it is still unknown whether he can replace the void Awoniyi is beginning to create for his team.

In light of this, We believe it is still preferable for the Reds to continue looking for a quality backup like Arnaut Danjuma if they want to stay in the Premier League and avoid relegation.